Bangalore gets 'A-1' status

BANGALORE, INDIA: The Central Government finally approved Bangalore ‘A-1’ class status on Monday.

According to the orders issued by the Center, the new status is applicable with retrospective effect from 1 July 2006, according to the reports.

This will entitle all the State and Central government employees to higher House Rent Allowance (HRA) and city compensatory allowance (CCA).

The census of India classifies any urban area with more than 50 lakh population as A-1 city. Bangalore with population of 57 lakhs now joins the club of five other mega-cities– New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad.